Henry R. Quintero, lived rich, full life

Henry R. Quintero, 1924-2018, was kind, generous, steady, intelligent, informed, and able to strike up a conversation with anyone. Hank Quintero of Potomac, Md., and Dewey Beach was beloved by colleagues, family and friends.

Imagine a 90-year-old curious and interested enough to hold the attention of a 22-year-old at a party. A man so generous he tips everybody at a restaurant all the way back to the kitchen.

His unexpected death by complications from a fall left a shocked and grief-stricken family. He was the much loved husband of Marilyn Taggart; stepfather of Hilary Giffin and Cassie Taggart; grandfather to Liam and Lindsey Giffin; deceased spouse Grace Pierce and their children, Rick Wilson and Mary Bern, and James Quintero and deceased child Theresa, and grandfather to their children, Sivan Wilson and Ajna Wilson and deceased child Ryan.

Hank spoke about his years of raising his young children as a single father, how much he loved his children then and still, how hard it was to work and be their only parent. He had tears all those years later in the telling.

Hank was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico to Enrique Quintero and Maria Theresa Yanes. He is pre-deceased by a sister, Ms. Quintero; and a brother, Charles Quintero.

Hank remained a passionate advocate for his birthplace, involving himself in immigrant issues throughout his life. Hank grew up in New York City with his family, where his father was a dentist. He joined the Army in 1943 to be
able to serve his country until World War II ended. After the war he earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Foreign Service at Georgetown University, and spent the bulk of his professional life at the State Department.

Hank's real happiness was found in his second marriage with his beloved Marilyn. Anyone who knew those two knew they they hit the marriage jackpot. They simply enjoyed being with each other for 35 years plus, from morning coffee with the sun coming over the dune at Seastrand. They loved catching the afternoon sun on the back porch. The loved sharing everything: their passion for politics, reading, entertaining, and eating out. Hank knew where every sweet thing was baked in the Delmarva area.

On the evening he died, Hank had been sitting in a comfy chair looking out to the ocean, He was handsome in his pajamas and robe, one week after his fall, following Marilyn and her daughters as they fussed over him and smiling widely. He was a bit tired he said, retiring to his bed reconfigured in the dining room, just steps from the kitchen. He wanted to nap before the dinner Hilary and Cassie were making for him, the fragrant smells in the air as he fell quickly to sleep. It was just the way he had said he always wanted to die.